GoldState Music, the funding agency based by music trade veteran Charles Goldstuck, has entered a strategic partnership with Bridgepoint Group, the London-listed mid-market investor.
Beneath the deal, introduced on Thursday (February 26), Bridgepoint has dedicated what the 2 events describe as “a big funding” as lead investor in GoldState’s Development Technique – a devoted fund targeted on constructing and scaling music-oriented companies globally.
The partnership marks a notable evolution for GoldState.
The corporate’s two earlier fundraises – a partnership with personal fairness agency Flexpoint Ford in late 2023, and a USD $500 million elevate co-led by Northleaf Capital Companions and Ares Administration final April – have been targeted totally on the acquisition of music rights, together with catalogs, grasp recordings, and publishing property.
MBW understands that these two funds collectively supplied GoldState with roughly $1 billion in spending capability, of which simply over half has been deployed to this point.
This new fund, in contrast, is targeted on development fairness investments in music and music-adjacent corporations – not catalog acquisitions.
Additional monetary particulars of the transaction weren’t disclosed.
Nevertheless, a supply near the small print informed MBW: “Charles is trying to deploy as much as a billion {dollars} in development fairness capital over the following few years. This isn’t a billion-dollar elevate, but it surely offers him a mechanism he can upsize to get in that ballpark.”
Goldstuck declined to remark when contacted by MBW.
Within the official announcement of the Bridgepoint partnership, Goldstuck mentioned: “The continued enlargement of the music ecosystem, coupled with the vibrancy we see in all aspects of the trade, makes this probably the most thrilling instances in latest music investing.
“Partnering with Bridgepoint is a pure enlargement of our funding actions, and I couldn’t be happier partnering with Rohit and his staff.”
“Led by Charles, GoldState has an distinctive monitor report of capitalising on these dynamics and is completely complemented by Bridgepoint’s rising experience.”
Rohit Dhote, Bridgepoint
Rohit Dhote, Accomplice and Co-Head of Credit score Alternatives at Bridgepoint, added: “The music house continues to exhibit sturdy structural development, supported by streaming enlargement and the growing international independence of artists.
“Led by Charles, GoldState has an distinctive monitor report of capitalising on these dynamics and is completely complemented by Bridgepoint’s rising experience in offering artistic capital options throughout the music ecosystem.”
GoldState says the Development Technique will goal “rising, worthwhile corporations with wholesome natural development charges, distinctive management groups and well-established market positions.”
MBW understands that Goldstuck and his staff are presently reviewing potential investments in a number of music and music-adjacent corporations, together with these working in artist companies, distribution, and varied AI-powered gamers.
Goal areas, in line with the official announcement, span “the broader music ecosystem, together with rights administration platforms, digital distribution, music expertise and associated infrastructure.”
As with GoldState’s earlier raises, MBW understands that Goldstuck and his firm have made a considerable minority contribution to the brand new fund – giving the GoldState founder private ‘pores and skin within the recreation.’
GoldState has beforehand made investments alongside monetary companions in corporations together with TouchTunes, the in-venue interactive music and leisure platform of which Goldstuck serves as Government Chairman, and Create Music Group, the LA-based distribution, publishing, and information analytics firm (alongside Flexpoint Ford).
Bridgepoint Group, which is listed on the London Inventory Alternate, says it has over $86 billion of property below administration, with a presence in Europe, North America, and Asia.
The agency’s credit score arm, Bridgepoint Credit score, has been energetic within the music house. In June final 12 months, Bridgepoint Credit score backed Rezonate Music Rights with $150 million to accumulate producer catalog royalty rights globally.
GoldState was based in 2022 by Goldstuck, who beforehand held govt positions at main labels together with Arista Information, Capitol Information, and J Information, which he co-founded with Clive Davis. He additionally served as President/COO of the Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) and was co-chairman of Hitco Leisure, which was bought to Harmony in 2022.
On the rights aspect, GoldState has been energetic in catalog acquisitions. The corporate acquired portfolios from CatchPoint Rights Companions and AMR Songs for roughly $200 million in late 2024, including stakes in songs by the likes of Kanye West, Sheryl Crow, and Panic! At The Disco.
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